Summer camps are scheduled for July 13-27, 2025. Each day we will learn, drill, wrestle, and eat at the Blair Convention Center located in Altoona, Pennsylvania, located 40 miles south of Penn State.
Our camps range from 4 days to 15 days and include dozens of high caliber instructors as well as over 20 male and female college counselors dedicated to providing personalized instruction in small groups to boys and girls of all ages.
Super Gold, multi-week campers, will stay at the Country Inn Suites attached to the Blair Convention Center. Female campers will stay at the Altoona Grand Hotel, located less than 2 miles from the Convention Center, with free shuttle services daily. We’ve partnered with several hotels for parents and coaches as well.
Enrollment is limited so register now to secure your spot!
The Gold Medal Training Camp System is designed so that wrestlers learn and retain as much as possible. Unlike most college-sponsored camps that are often thrown together, Gold Medal Training Camps are organized to maximize learning and expand wrestling skill sets for success. Through a carefully planned sequence of instruction, unique drills, and review sessions, you will learn the techniques necessary to become a champion.
Ken Chertow is present at all of his camps. He designs the curriculum for every session, directly instructs many of the sessions, and is available for personalized instruction if needed. Ken has made a commitment to coordinating the finest camp system in the world.
Ken trains year-round, experimenting with different techniques while drilling, wrestling, and coaching young wrestlers. While coaching at Penn State and Ohio State, he had the privilege of working with some of the finest coaches and wrestlers in the nation. He has attended training camps at the Olympic Training Center regularly since 1984 where he trains with some of the best wrestlers in the world. He also regularly analyzes videotapes of State, NCAA, and Olympic Championships. He knows and understands what it takes to become a champion and he's eager to share it with you.
You will learn a unique system of wrestling— the same system that has made Ken and many other top wrestlers champions.
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Takedowns
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You will learn an array of set-up actions that will allow you to constantly pressure your opponent while always maintaining a good position. Learn to attack your opponent in a variety of fashions from all angles using the inside step, knee spin, knee bounce, and low ankle mechanics of penetration. Our staff will also detail a variety of leg attack finishes so you can quickly and effectively finish your leg attacks both from your feet and when you get stuck on your knees.
If your opponent’s legs are back, you must work his head. You will learn the snap, shuck, head pull, and cross snap so you can wear your opponent down, open up your leg attacks and/or get his head down. You will learn a unique front headlock, cement job, cement mixer, whizzer and cobra series, as well as essential spin behind techniques, including the back hand and short drag. Many other counterattacks will be taught including the chestlock, bundled arms, spladle, and elevator series.
The slide by and throw by series will be carefully detailed, so you can score on the opponent who hangs on your collar. Advanced takedown techniques including throws, underhook attacks, two-on-one combinations, and low single attacks will also be covered.
Takedowns are the most important and difficult area of wrestling to master – we focus on mat wrestling unlike many other camps. Our goal is for you to leave camp with a clear understanding of the takedowns you must master to excel, and the work ethic it will require to perfect them.
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Top Position
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Emphasis will be on legs, tilts, & cradles – the most effective ways to turn a good opponent. Important breakdowns will be drilled as well as unique breakdowns to turns, including side headlock, inside ankle pretzel, and foot hook. You will learn to control and turn your toughest opponents. All nearfall techniques will be taught in extra small groups because the finer points are so important. Special sessions are offered for wrestlers particularly interested in advanced instruction on parallel legs, cradles, turks, and freestyle turns.
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Bottom Position
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Chain wrestling from the bottom position will be drilled daily. You will learn the finer points of the stand-up that will help you pop-up on your feet with back pressure for a quick escape, and you will develop a variety of secondary moves that can be used depending on your opponent's pressure. You will get to choose which reversal techniques you want expert instruction on and receive this instruction in extra small groups to learn the finer points. Special sessions are offered for wrestlers particularly interested in advanced instruction on granbys, head spins, and counters to legs.
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The full camp newsletter will be emailed out to campers in early June. It will contain all pertinent information related to attending summer wrestling camps. Until the release date, feel free to review last year's newsletter. It is loaded with valuable information.
2024 Camp Newsletter (Note: This is from 2024)
Typical Schedule
| Time |
Schedule
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7:30 – 9:00 AM
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Breakfast for overnight/residential campers
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9:30 – 11:30 AM
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Roll Call & Morning Technique Session
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11:30 – 1:00 PM
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Lunch
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1:30 – 3:30 PM
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Afternoon Training Session
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4:30 – 6:00 PM
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Dinner
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6:30 – 8:30 PM
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Featured Speaker: topics include mental preparation, goal setting, strength, nutrition, small group choices, personalized instruction, and video analysis
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10:00 PM
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Bed Check and Lights Out
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Camp resident tuition includes hotel and meals in addition to all of the camp sessions. 95% of our teen campers are resident campers in a hotel room with a few roommates. You can request specific roommates on the registration form.
The commuter fee is for wrestlers who stay in the camp hotel with parents, reserve an alternate hotel or Air BnB, or live locally and commute. Commuter wrestlers receive all camp sessions and meals.
| For |
Camp
Type |
Length
(Days) |
Age |
Resident
Price |
Commuter
Price |
|
Boys
|
Super Gold Medal
Training Camp |
15 |
13-18 |
$2,050 |
$1,800 |
Gold Medal
Training Camp |
8 |
13-18 |
$1,050 |
$900 |
Gold Medal
Training Camp |
6 |
13-18 |
$850 |
$750 |
Personalized
Technique Camp |
4 |
13-18 |
$600 |
$525 |
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Girls
|
SuperGirl
Training Camp |
15 |
13-18 |
$2,050 |
$1,800 |
Gold Medal
Training Camp |
8 |
13-18 |
$1,050 |
$900 |
Gold Medal
Training Camp |
6 |
13-18 |
$850 |
$750 |
Personalized
Technique Camp |
4 |
13-18 |
$600 |
$525 |
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Youth
|
SuperKid Technique
& Training Camp |
8 |
10-12 |
$1,050 |
$900 |
Kids Training
Camp |
6 |
9-12 |
$850 |
$750 |
Future Champions
Camp* |
4 |
6-9 |
$900 |
$475 |
* Future Champions Camp requires a parent's attendance and the resident option includes a private hotel room for parent and child. All meals for wrestlers are covered in camp cost for both commuters and residents, parents can choose to add a meal plan.
Our camp is located in Altoona, PA at the Blair County Convention Center. Dedicated wrestlers drive and fly from across the nation to attend our camps. Last year, we welcomed 20 wrestlers from 8 foreign countries in addition to the many dozens who flew in from all over the country!
Recommended Airport: State College Regional Airport (SCE) is the only airport we recommend flying into/out of and offer shuttle services.
State College Regional Airport (SCE) in State College, PA has several daily flights, including connections from Chicago O'hare, Philadelphia, Newark New Jersey, and New York LaGuardia. Approximate travel time to camp from SCE is 45 minutes.
Flight Arrivals & Departures: Each camp's first session begins at 3 pm EST. We recommend flying into State College airport between 10 am and 2 pm on the first day of camp, however, we realize you may need to arrive later and that is fine. We will accommodate you when you arrive.
Each camp's final session ends at 11 am EST. We recommend departing from State College airport on the last day of camp after 2 p.m. and before 5 p.m. Again, we realize you may need to depart earlier/later and we will accommodate you.
Shuttle Arrangements: We make large group pick-ups with a professional shuttle van company called Freedom Shuttle. Our staff handles smaller group pick-ups.
Fees: There is a $50 charge each way per person to ride to and from SCE to camp. Shuttle fees MUST be paid in full prior to the date of pick-up.
To Book: To reserve your shuttle to or from camp we MUST have your itinerary no later than 2 weeks prior to camp. Itineraries received after July 1, 2025 may result in you having to secure your own transportation to camp. We recommend you book flights ASAP to get the ideal schedule and lowest prices. Please let us know your travel itinerary as soon as you book your flight. Itineraries can be emailed to beth@kenchertow.com and Beth will send an email confirmation with information on how to pay for transportation arrangements.
Travel Agent: If you want help securing the best travel schedule and pricing, we recommend travel agent Jan Hurvitz at jhurvitz1@aol.com.
Camp Cancellations:
If you think you may need to cancel your registration for camp you have 2 options:
➤ Option 1: Receive Camp Credit to be used in the future camp -- must have doctors note.
▸ Cancellation before June 25th - Receive Full Camp Credit
▸ Cancellation after June 25th - Receive 50% Camp Credit
▸ Cancellation after July 7th or No Show - No Camp Credit
➤ Option 2: Register with Purchase Protection -- receive a 100% refund of your registration should you be prevented from attending due to a qualifying unforeseen circumstance.
▸ Visit our Registration Page to see full details!
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+1-814-883-1193
Camps@kenchertow.com
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